Fans rallying to help cash-strapped Rocks

The Rocks defender is the first in the club's 125-year history to have his wages paid by the supporters.

The scheme has been unanimously backed by fans anxious to help the Rocks through one of their most difficult seasons ever.

Since it was unveiled at a fans' forum last week, well over 20 supporters have signed up to pay 20 a month by direct debit towards Jupp's salary.

The meeting ended with some 20 people committing themselves to the contributions. More fans pledged their backing at last Saturday's home game.

First to make the payment was the Rev Graham Banks, the pastor of the Opengate (or Bognor Regis Baptist) Church, which hosted the forum. He said he would pay 40 a month into the wages scheme.

"I am going to start the ball rolling. It's normally churches who are asking people to give us money but I see paying this money as being part of our role in the community," he explained.

Jupp was chosen by the football club's directors and the supporters' club as the player to be backed by the fans because his committed displays and loyalty have been appreciated since he signed last January from Gillingham.

His wages are believed to be 200 a week.

Supporters' club chairman Sarah Warwick said she was delighted with the scheme's success.

"The response has been absolutely brilliant. The amounts being pledged by individuals range from a few pounds a month up to 25," she said.

"I don't think we will have totally covered Duncan Jupp's wages but we have helped the club an awful lot.

"A lot of other people have said they will also sign direct debits for the scheme in the next month or so.

"The mood at Saturday's game against Weston-super-Mare was a very positive one, despite Jack's illness. There is a real feeling the club have turned the corner."

The forum took place against the backdrop of the Nyewood Lane club at the bottom of the Conference South with home attendances between 250-300 and a shrinking budget for players.

More than 80 fans of all ages '“ some wearing green and white '“ filled the baptist church's meeting room for the forum last Wednesday to show their passion for the club.

The turnout pleased manager Mick Jenkins. He said: "It would have been very easy for me and a lot of other people to have walked away from the club, having been here for only a few months.

"But now we have nailed our colours to the mast, and there are certainly a lot more people here than I thought there would be.

"We appreciate the support and we will all be working hard for the club."

He was joined on the top table by assistant manager Andy Awford, director Nick Cartmell, commercial manager Eddie Mills, secretary Simon Cook, committee member Mike Phillips and club spokesman Roger Nash.

It was revealed Mr Cartmell and Mr Jenkins have both been putting some money into the club in the past few months.

However, the need for extra income was emphasised by Mr Mills.

He said he was confident he had secured sponsorship of 4,200 in the past two weeks.

"If I can't bring money into this club by the end of the season, I will walk away. But I know I can do it," he said.

Mr Jenkins and Mr Awford were subject to tough questioning from some of the fans.

They urged them to look locally for players to provide more of an identity for those supporting the team.

Mr Awford said he hoped everyone would agree performances had become more committed since the FA Cup debacle against Burgess Hill.

Mr Jenkins also pledged the players would meet the fans after home games to revive the traditional social occasion. This would take place in the neighbouring squash club while the clubhouse was being rebuilt.

Other suggestions concerned involving local youth teams with the Rocks, getting schoolchildren around the town to support the club and increasing away support to boost players on their travels.

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